The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Charles Orie

  • Ajudua’s bail application stalled

    The Lagos High Court, Ikeja, on Thursday failed to hear the bail application filed by Lagos socialite, Fred Ajudua, due to power outage.

    The court presided over by Justice Kudirat Jose had hardly sat for five minutes when the court room was thrown into darkness due to the power outage.

    Justice Jose had been scheduled to hear the bail application filed by Ajudua.

    The judge conducted part of the proceedings in darkness for about five minutes before suspending the exercise.

    She has however adjourned further hearing on the application to March 12.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had charged Ajudua to court for allegedly defrauding two Dutchmen – Remy Cina and Pierre Vijgen, of $1.69 million between July 1999 and September 2000

    Ajudua and co-defendant, Charles Orie were first arraigned by the EFCC before Justice Olubunmi Oyewole in 2003.

    They were however re-arraigned before Justice Jose on a four-count charge of conspiracy, obtaining of money by false pretence and inducing payment by false pretence.

    The transfer of the case to Justice Jose was necessitated by the withdrawal of the former trial judge, Justice Joseph Oyewole, from the case, due to the redeployment of High Court Judges.

     

  • Alleged $1.69m fraud: New judge for Ajudua’s case

    The trial of a Lagos socialite, Fred Ajudua, over a $1.69 million fraud, could not proceed at a Lagos High Court, Ikeja yesterday. Reason: His case was re-assigned to a new judge, Justice Kudirat Jose.

    He could also not be rearraigned because counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr Wemimo Ogunde (SAN) was absent in court.

    Ajudua’s last court appearance was in September, last year, when he argued his bail application before a vacation judge, Justice Ganiyu Safari.

    When the matter came up before Justice Jose yesterday, Ajudua looked pale and tired as he was assisted into the court by a prison official.

    While the matter lasted, Ajudua lay on the bench reserved for defendants.

    Justice Jose adjourned his re-arraignment till February 5 to enable her update herself with the case.

    Ajudua and his associate, Charles Orie, were charged before Justice Olubunmi Oyewole in 2003 for allegedly defrauding two Dutch businessmen, Messrs Remy Cina and Pierre Vijgen, of the money between July 1999 and September 2000.

    The transfer of the case to Justice Jose was necessitated by Justice Oyewole’s withdrawal. His withdrawal was said to be in connection with a petition written to the EFCC by a former Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen.Ishaya Bamaiyi (rtd), alleging that Ajudua used the names of the judge and others to defraud him of about $8.39 million.

    During yesterday’s proceedings, Ajudua’s counsel, Mr Richard Ahonaruogho, was also in court.

    Ajudua’s and Orie’s cases were truncated in 2005 after Ajudua travelled abroad for treatment.

    On June 11, 2013, Ajudua appeared before the court after an almost eight-year absence.

    His efforts at obtaining bail failed as Justice Oyewole ordered him to be remanded in Kirikiri Maximum Prison. He was later granted N50 million bail by Justice Safari on health grounds.

  • Inconclusive agreement stalls Ajidua’s trial

    The inconclusive agreement between the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and lawyer to alleged fraudster, Fred Ajudua, Charles Uwensuyi-Edosomwan (SAN) on Wednesday stalled hearing in the alleged N270 million fraud case.

    Ajudua and his cohort, Charles Orie were arraigned by the EFCC before Justice Joseph Oyewole for allegedly defrauding two Dutch businessmen – Remy Cina and Pierre Vijgen, of $1.69 million.

    At the last adjourned date, Edosomwan had urged the court for an adjournment to enable the defence and prosecution reach an agreement.

    However, at Wednesday’s hearing, Edosomwan told the court there was an ongoing consultation with the EFCC and that certain agreements have been reached, although counsel to EFCC, Olumuyiwa Balogun, said he was not aware of if an agreement has been reached with the top echelon of the commission.

    Edosonwam, who said it was unfortunate the prosecuting counsel has not been briefed, prayed the court for a short adjournment to enable parties meet and report back.

    He said: ‘’A lot has happened since the defendant (Ajudua) was remanded in prison. His heath condition got worsened. We are consulting with the prosecution to reach certain agreements.’’

    Balogun confirmed that meetings were ongoing by both parties, adding that the reports will soon be made available to the court.

    After listening to the parties, Oyewole adjourned the case to October 10 for report of consultation.

    However, The Nation gathered that the consultations were to see how Ajudua, who is said to be at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital could perfect his bail conditions in order to proceed abroad for medical treatment.

    A vacation judge, Justice Ganiyu Safari had granted Ajudua bail in the sum of N50 million with two sureties in like sum on grounds of ill-health, following an application for bail by the defense team.

    Safari declared that Ajudua’s ill-health constituted an “exceptional circumstance, “for the court to grant him bail.

     

     

  • Alleged fraud: Ajudua seeks change of trial judge

    A one-time Lagos socialite, Fred Ajudua, on Monday filed an application before a Lagos High Court, Ikeja, seeking a change of thejudge hearing charges of fraud preferred against him.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Ajudua and his associate Charles Orie, are standing trial before Justice Joseph Oyewole for allegedly defrauding two Dutch nationals few years ago.

    They were arraigned on May 30, 2003, for allegedly defrauding Messrs Remy Cina and Pierre Vijgen, of 1.69 million US dollars (N252.8 million).

    During Monday’s proceedings, Ajudua’s counsel, Mr. Allens Agbaka, said the defence had petitioned the Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Ayotunde Phillips, to remove Oyewole from presiding over the trial.

    Agbaka also sought for an adjournment of the trial, pending the decision of Phillips to transfer the case to another judge.

    In the application– which was supported by a six-paragraph affidavit– Agbaka alleged that Oyewole had made a prejudicial remark while ruling on Ajudua’s bail application on June 25.

    The defence counsel said the judge’s claim that his client would tamper with the prosecution witnesses was prejudicial to the fair trial of the case.

    He said:”The learned presiding judge, in making those remarks, has given cause for reasonable apprehension that the first accused (Ajudua) has been found guilty, even before the conclusion of the trial.”

    The EFCC counsel, Mr. Wemimo Ogunde (SAN), told the court that he needed time to respond to the application.

    NAN reports that the matter was adjourned till September 24 for further hearing.